Full-body CT scan

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
"Full-body scan" redirects here. For full-body scanners found in airport-security, see Full body scanner. For 3D body scanners, see 3D body scanning.

A full-body scan is a scan of the patient's entire body as part of the

CAT
) scan technology is used, it is known as a full-body CT scan, though many medical imaging technologies can perform full-body scans.

Indications

Full-body CT scans allow a transparent view of the body. For polytrauma patients, aggressive use of full-body CT scanning improves early diagnosis of injury and improves survival rates, [1] with widespread adoption of the technique seen worldwide.[2] Full-body CT scans are not indicated in patients with minor or single system trauma, and should be avoided in such patients.[1]

Many possible malignancies are discovered with a full-body scan, but these are almost always benign.

incidentalomas
".

However, the significance of radiation exposure as well as costs associated with these studies must be considered, especially in patients with low energy mechanisms of injury and absent physical examination findings consistent with major trauma.

A full-body scan has the potential to identify disease (e.g.

symptoms suggestive of a disease.[5] As with any test that screens for disease, the risks of full-body CT scans need to be weighed against the benefit of identifying a treatable disease at an early stage.[6]

An alternative to a full-body CT scan may be Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. MRI scans are generally more expensive than CT but do not expose the patient to ionizing radiation and are being evaluated for their potential value in screening.[7]

Risks and complications

Compared to most other diagnostic imaging procedures, CT scans result in relatively high radiation exposure. This exposure may be associated with a very small increase in cancer risk. The question is whether that risk is outweighed by the benefits of diagnosis and therapy[8]

The procedure has a low rate of finding disease.

incidentalomas. It is uncertain how to treat some of them, or if treatment is even necessary.[9]
The test also cannot detect colors, unlike for example a colonoscopy.

Society and culture

These procedures are relatively expensive. Possibly high cost: At a cost of

IRS stated that full-body scans qualify as deductible medical expenses, without a doctor's referral. This will likely lead employer-sponsored, flexible-spending plans to make the cost of the scans eligible for reimbursement.[12]

In popular culture

  • In the
    hypochondriac
    ".

See also

References

  1. ^
    ABIM Foundation
    , American College of Surgeons, retrieved 14 February 2017, which cites
  2. ^ Maclean D, Vannet N. Improving trauma imaging in Wales through Kotter's theory of change. Clinical Radiology 71 (5): 427 - 431
  3. ^
    PMID 16479647
    .
  4. ^
    PMID 12540423
    .
  5. ^ "U.S Food and Drug Administration Whole body CT scans, DHHS Publication No: (FDA) 03-0001". March 2003. Retrieved August 30, 2006.
  6. PMID 8569290
    .
  7. PMID 16888774
    .
  8. ^ Full-Body CT Scans - What You Need to Know. Fda.gov. Retrieved on 2010-09-26.
  9. PMID 12614096
    .
  10. ^ Meyer M. (October 2002). "Behind the Body Scan Craze". Retrieved August 30, 2006.
  11. ^ "Whole-body Scans More Marketing Than Science, Say Medical Physicists. American Institute of Physics". 2002-08-26. Archived from the original on May 1, 2006. Retrieved August 30, 2006.
  12. ^ "Diagnosis? It's Deductible".
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